Addison man tells judge he killed wife after she asked for divorce

Published: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 4:01 p.m. CST

ADDISON – An Addison man is being held on $3 million bond and awaiting arraignment at DuPage County Jail after police arrested him for allegedly killing his wife and stabbing his stepson early Friday morning.

Kurtis Worley, 33, of the 900 block of North Craig Place, was charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery.

When he appeared in bond court Monday morning via video feed, he said he had been angry because his wife, Martha Worley, 39, told him she wanted to get a divorce.

According to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Kurtis Worley stabbed his wife multiple times in the head and face with two knives while she was lying in the couple's bed.

Addison police responded to a domestic disturbance call around 3 a.m. July 26. They discovered Martha Worley face down on the bed. She had been beaten around the face and head, and sustained significant wounds to her head. She was transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood where she died of her injuries around 5 p.m. that evening, according to the release.

An official autopsy report will not be issued for weeks, but according to the Cook County Medial Examiner's Office, multiple injuries from an assault caused Martha Worley's death.

Kurtis Worley also allegedly stabbed his 15-year-old stepson in the neck when he entered the room after hearing his mother's cries for help. According to the release, the stepson will require extensive rehabilitation, but is expected to survive the injury.

A spokesman for the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said that Kurtis Worley's 12-year-old stepson was also home at the time of the incident, but was not injured. The couple's 9-year-old daughter was not in the home during the event.

Dave Clarkin, a DCFS spokesman said DCFS is investigating Kurtis Worley for allegations of abuse against his three children. The two uninjured children have been placed with a relative and the oldest remains hospitalized.

Police said they found Kurtis Worley lying on the floor of the bedroom when they arrived. Police said he had cut his wrists and neck. He was transported to an area hospital and immediately taken into custody July 28 when he was discharged.

Kurtis Worley has been appointed a public defender and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26 in front of Judge Blanche Hill Fawell for his arraignment.